<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Heat upgraded its perimeter depth Thursday by landing veteran guard Derek Anderson from the Houston Rockets at the NBA trading deadline.Anderson was acquired in exchange for rookie point guard Gerald Fitch and the $1.9 million salary-cap exception the Heat acquired in last year's deadline deal that sent forward Malik Allen to Charlotte for guard Steve Smith. After going with 37-year-old point guard Gary Payton as its backup shooting guard for the season's first 54 games, the Heat now has a true backup for Dwyane Wade.Limited by a variety of ailments the past two seasons, including a strained right calf this season, Anderson, 31, had fallen out of favor with Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. He is under contract this season for $1.7 million, with a player option of $1.8 million next season.The Heat courted Anderson as a free agent in 2000 and also had interest this past summer. Although not as explosive off the dribble as earlier in his career, before a major knee injury, Anderson is a career 34-percent 3-point shooter whose percentage has waned in recent seasons.Heat coach Pat Riley went into the deadline saying he was not looking for additional complementary pieces, but the acquisition of Anderson means he won't have to slide small forward Shandon Anderson into the backcourt or rely on second-year guard Dorell Wright or one-dimensional shooter Jason Kapono in emergency situations.Anderson was the No. 13 pick in the 1997 draft out of Kentucky, where he played alongside Heat backup forward Antoine Walker on the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team.Riley had expressed reluctance in recent days to shake up a roster that will go for a season-best fifth consecutive victory Saturday against visiting Seattle. With center Shaquille O'Neal over his early-season ankle problems and with guard Jason Williams recovered from a lacerated finger, the Heat has won nine of its past 11 to move a season-best 14 games above .500.Fitch had inspired little confidence in his 18 appearances. He was added early in the season when Williams was sidelined by knee tendinitis. While Anderson can also play point guard, it is possible the Heat seeks additional depth at the position.With the passing of the trading deadline, one personnel deadline remains, the March 1 cut-off for playoff eligibility. A player waived by March 1 is eligible for another team's playoff roster regardless of when added. The Heat used the waiver deadline last season to acquire center Alonzo Mourning.While it spent its trade exception, the Heat retains $3.9 million of its mid-level salary-cap exception to possibly utilize on a free agent. Players such as Tim Thomas, Tony Delk and Penny Hardaway are expected to come onto the market in coming days.</div><div align="center">Source</div>Good move, now we won't have to make Payton play the two when Wade's sitting. Fitch was playing okay and had some pontential, but we have no use for him with Payton and Williams at PG.
They had to do this move. They are not waiting for the future for Fitch to develop. They have to win it all now.
They really didnt need another shooter, they need a solid defender at SF. Really what they need is Eddie Jones, people always talk about leadership of superstars, but I think this guy easily has to be the best leader in the NBA now other then Tim Duncan, not only is he talented but he's a great defender and doesnt complain, and it isnt coincidence every team whose aquired him goes deep.
Shandon Anderson and James Posey are more than solid defenders. We needed a decent backup SG more than anything. We've had Payton playing backup PG and SG, which obviously isn't going too well.
Another overrated player on the Miami Heat...I don't get it, Anderson sucks, he's always injured, he won't even be on the Heat next year probably.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WELCOMEtotheJUNGLE @ Mar 13 2006, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Another overrated player on the Miami Heat...I don't get it, Anderson sucks, he's always injured, he won't even be on the Heat next year probably.</div>He probably won't, but that's not the point and for what we gave up it was worth the trade. We needed a decent backup for Wade who can give us solid play. So far Anderson has been doing just that.
Derek Doesn't suck, but I wouldn't want him on my team, if I were the Heat. I would have gone somewhere else, where you have a bigger hole.
